Community Corner

Collingswood Book Festival Headlines Busy Week

There are a variety of reading-related activities all week long in the lead-up to a Saturday that's simply packed with stuff to do.

It's the Collingswood Book Festival this week, and there are a number of events in the days leading up to Saturday's celebration.

Monday, September 30, the Collingswood High School varsity girls soccer team will host a Susan Komen Foundation breast cancer benefit during its game against Sterling. Kick penalty shots at halftime for $1 apiece, or buy something from the bake sale. The boys play at 6 p.m.; the girls kick off at 8 p.m.

At 7 p.m. Tuesday, October 1, the Collingswood Public Library will host a discussion of the town book The End of Your Life Book Club, the Will Schwalbe memoir of his final days with his terminally ill mother. Schwalbe will speak and sign his book at the Book Festival (Saturday at 1 p.m.).

From 4 to 10 p.m., you can help support the Collingswood Holiday Parade by dining out at Villa Barone. Mention "Collingswood Holiday Parade" and 15% of your bill will be donated to the annual celebration.

At 1 p.m. Wednesday, October 2, the free "Sages of Ages" event will bring guests aged 50 and older to the Collingswood Community Center for a senior readers event. Call 856-854-3705 to reserve your spot. 

Speakers include authors Linda Todd and Cheryl Tapp, who will present the beach etiquette book If Beaches Could Talk. Jeffrey M. Dorwart will discuss Elizabeth Haddon Estaugh 1680--1762: Building the Quaker Community of Haddonfield, New Jersey.

On Thursday, October 3, it's time to register children aged three, four and five for story hour at the library. Call Carol or Dot at 856-858-0649.

Then at 7:30 p.m., saxophonist Denis DiBlasio kicks off the "First Thursday Jazz in the Wood" series at the Collingswood Community Center. DiBlasio directs the jazz program at Rowan University.

Thursday evening is also the return of Avenue Q to the Collingswood Community Theatre. The show runs from Thursday to Saturday at 7:30 p.m. with a 3 p.m. matinee October 6.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students and seniors. Call 856-854-0720 x128 for tickets.

Friday, October 4, brings with it registration for 18-35-month-old story time at the Collingswood Public Library. There is room for 14 children in the program. Call Carol or Dot at 856-858-0649 to register.

At 8:30 p.m., singer-songwriter and harmonica player Tom Jenkins performs at Fridays Live at Grooveground.

Then, on Saturday, October 5, it's the Collingswood Book Festival. Six blocks of Haddon Avenue shut down for a series of speakers, readings, and activities for children. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; click here for your schedule. 

(Be sure to stop by the children's play area on Irvin Avenue at 3:30 p.m.—your friendly neighborhood Patch editor will be reading a story.)

At 3 p.m., some Collingswood children will be performing with singer Tom Chapin at the Sacred Heart Church in Camden City. The event will benefit the nonprofit Center for Environmental Transformation. For tickets and more information, contact Cathy Nevins at 856-365-8111.

Then at 5 p.m., join your fellow shutterbugs for the Collingswood chapter of the sixth annual national PhotoWalk. Bring any camera: SLR, point & shoot, or even a cell phone, and join your neighbors for a look through the lens.

From 7 to 11 p.m., you can join the Collingswood Juniors for a Beef and Beer bash at the Collingswood Community Center. Food, entertainment, and alcoholic beverages will be served. The proceeds benefit Collingswood Cares for Children in Crisis and The Seeing Eye. E-mail Michelle Miller  (tupperwarebymichelle@gmail.com) or Donna Shourds (donna1193@comcast.net) for tickets.

At noon on Sunday, October 6, visit the First Baptist Church of Collingswood for the two-mile Church World Service CROP Walk, a charity event organized by local volunteers. Proceeds go to fighting hunger in the borough as well as worldwide. Call Bonnie Mason at 856-854-7756 for details.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here